Piracetam tablets, ampoules

Piracetam is well-known in the pharmaceutical market. Despite the fact that there are analogs that can replace Piracetam, the drug is still popular.

Piracetam belongs to a group of neuroprotective drugs, ie, drugs that have a positive influence on the processes of metabolism and blood circulation in the brain. As a result, it improves memory, restores the connection between the hemispheres of the brain, learning ability. The drug is often administered to treat various psychiatric and neurological diseases, including abstinence syndrome.

The main advantage of this product is that it does not have a sedative effect on the central nervous system, it is rapidly absorbed and spreads through the tissues of the body. The maximum concentration of the active substance is achieved fairly quickly – within half an hour. The active components of the drug pass through the blood-brain barrier in the tissue of the brain and accumulate for 1-4 hours. The metabolism of its components occurs in a very small degree.

The majority of the drug leaves the body through the kidneys, it’s half removed in up to 4 hours. The components of the drug are removed very slowly from the cerebrospinal fluid, which indicates that the drug is highly trophic to the tissues of the spinal cord.

While taking Piracetam, it’s highly recommended to monitor the condition of the kidneys, especially for indicators of creatinine and nitrogen. This is especially true for patients who are diagnosed with kidney failure.

Do not abruptly stop taking the drug. If a patient is scheduled an antiepileptic medication after the course of treatment with Piracetam is finished, it’s recommended to continue the basic treatment as usual. This is because it can decrease the seizure threshold.

When to prescribe Piracetam?

The medication can be used as one of the measures of emergency aid in  poisoning (alcohol, barbiturates, morphine), abstinent and other states, in alcoholism and drug use.

Piracetam is used in various fields for treatment of the diseases of different etiology.

In neuroscience it is used in diseases such as:

• diseases associated with the deterioration of the emotional sphere and intellectual functions.
• disorders of the cerebral vessels (hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, atherosclerosis).
• deterioration of blood circulation in the brain area.
• comatose state caused by trauma or intoxication. The drug is used in this case to improve mental and motor activity.
• treatment of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in the elderly.

The drug is used in psychiatry for these problems:

• to relieve the symptoms of epilepsy
• for apathetic condition in some diseases, such as schizophrenia and atrophic processes
• depressive states
• complex treatment of certain mental illnesses.

The pediatric use for the following purposes:

• acceleration of the process of memorization, improved academic performance in children.
• elimination of perinatal brain disorders.
• treatment of mental retardation.
• treatment of cerebral palsy.
• elimination of mental retardation.

Absolute contraindications are:

• 1 year and under
• acute hemorrhagic stroke
• pregnancy
• breastfeeding
• hypersensitivity to the individual components
• agitated depression (accompanied by strong anxiety).

During pregnancy, the drug is allowed in very rare cases: only if the benefits of the drug are much higher than the risk to the fetus.

Side effects of Piracetam:

• Vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, cramps, headache, constipation
• restlessness, anxiety, irritability, nervous irritability
• imbalance
• increased tendency to conflict
• worsening focus
• anorexia
• drowsiness
• feeling of weakness.